Mastantuono lost the ball 18 times at Genoa. Vanoli's answer: keep playing him

By the Data Desk · Published 13 OCT 06:30 · Updated 14 OCT 05:33

Franco Mastantuono lost the ball 18 times in Fiorentina's 2-1 defeat at Genoa, Infobae counts, and in Argentina the criticism has been loud since. His coach Paolo Vanoli answered the other way: he called the 19-year-old an important player and said players like him only learn Italian football by playing it.

• Genoa 2-1 Fiorentina on Saturday 10 October: Fiorentina are second from bottom with 4 points from six games (1 win, 1 draw, 4 defeats).
• Mastantuono has started every Serie A game; at Genoa he completed 27 of 31 passes but lost possession 18 times (Infobae).
• He is on a season-long loan from Real Madrid with no option to buy, after José Mourinho left him out of his plans.

Mastantuono had just flown back from duty with Argentina, and before the game there was talk in Italy that he could start on the bench. Vanoli picked him anyway. Afterwards he said: "Un giocatore importante, devono sapere fare questi viaggi ed essere pronti, lui l'ha fatto, ha fatto una buona partita" (an important player; they have to be able to make these trips and be ready, he did it and played a good game).

Then came the line that Argentina picked up: "Penso che ci siano giocatori come lui che debbano capire il calcio italiano. Ma se non li fai giocare non lo capiscono" (players like him have to understand Italian football, but if you don't play them, they never will). La Nación describes a first half-season that started crooked: criticism, a new league and a team in trouble.

Fiorentina's problems go beyond him. Vanoli came back in September after Fabio Grosso was sacked (ANSA), and their only goal at Genoa was an own goal. Four points from six games is the second-worst record in Serie A.

Real Madrid loaned him for the whole season without a purchase option, so he returns in the summer. The next league game is Fiorentina's chance to give him a team that holds the ball for him.